Barcelona chief Bartomeu slams UEFA's attack on freedom of speech

Barca were fined €40,000 for their supporters’ use of the banner, commonly associated with pro-Catalan independence, in the Champions League last month, but the President – speaking at Sunday’s Ordinary General Assembly – is determined to fight the sanction.

“FC Barcelona have been punished by UEFA with a sanction which threatens the freedom of expression,” he began.

“We’re sanctioned by the simple fact of expressing a legitimate sentiment. We should not be punished. Enough is enough.

“We will take the sanction to UEFA’s Appeals Committee, CAS (Court of Arbitration for Sport) and, if all else fails, the Supreme Court of Switzerland.

“It is down to us to earn the socis’ trust, and we are working with rigour, enthusiasm and responsibility.

“We have improved our sporting competitiveness and started a new winning cycle with the second treble of our history.

“We have completed the first phase of the Espai Barca project and consolidated our economic strategy, surpassing €600m in revenue.

“We are leaders in social networking, with more than 200m followers, and have the Champions League’s best website.

“Barca are in excellent shape on the pitch and in social, economic and governmental aspects. We should be proud.

“If we want to remain the world’s best club in the coming years, we must continue to evolve in a competitive environment.

“At the moment, we’re the best club of the century and one of the few clubs owned by their members.

“If we do things right, we have every reason to be unstoppable.

“The first team still want to win everything. Luis Enrique has proven to be the best Coach we could possibly have.

“The board are committed to realising all our projects which are ambitious and challenging.

“I want to express, on behalf of the club, all the support and affection for Johan Cruyff and his family and hope he wins this match too.”

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